Page 37 - K9 News - Issue 14 - December 2020
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for it….. £23,000 a litter!! I nearly fell off the on the original use of the terrier as a hunting
chair. Apparently a friend of theirs has a dog and his new found rise to fame in rubbing
registered Cocker Spaniel bitch and she too shoulders with the great and the good at Kennel
is making £23,000 per litter. My thoughts went Club shows.
to the Inland Revenue I’m afraid. These puppy
There are descriptions of what to look for in a
breeders, or greeders as the fashionable term
good dog, or rather correct dog for showing
seems to be, could clear the national debt in no
and explanations of why Denise thought it
time. Her parting shot was ‘well, at least it’s not
necessary, not to move away totally from the
as bad as puppy farming. She has a nice home
traditional Jack Russell but also to obtain some
and doesn’t lie in a shed in her own urine’. My
European blood for showing, as this was what
parting shot “Actually that’s EXACTLY what he’s
was being chosen in the show ring.
doing. Puppy farming doesn’t have to be carried
out in sheds and farms, most these days are The chapter on genetics is fascinating and
bred by greedy people who have nice houses there is a link for those wishing to expand their
and cars, courtesy of their family pets, for whom knowledge on the subject. I found it enthralling,
they have no regard whatsoever”. To say I was if a little confusing as some years ago I reviewed
seething would be an understatement. a book on lurchers and had said at the time that
I would have preferred more information than
I may have put a chink in her armour, but as
was given. I may have waited a decade or more,
most mothers with sons, she’ll see no harm
but this book more than makes up for any deficit
in his actions. He’d sold a puppy to someone
in the previous publication.
whose family all wanted one from the same
breeding. Heaven alone knows what could be There are photos of Denise and her partner
bred from those matings. It’s this that keeps the Steven showing their dogs and at home and
money and puppies flowing and at £3,000 and also owners with their terriers of all shapes
£4,000 a pup, people with more money than and sizes, both in the show ring and in cuddle
sense and others with convenient bitches, the mode and it gave me great pleasure to see the
world as know it, on more than one level, will variety in the breed, as were Jacks of old, rather
never be the same again. Poor, poor little dog. than looking as if they all came out of the same
My heart bleeds for her. mould.
BOOK REVIEW It’s a well presented book and of good size to
fit in a pocket or bag and at £12.99 + P&P it’s
An interesting book dropped on my doormat a
a great stocking filler for Christmas or a gift for
while back which I’m delighted to tell you about.
anyone interested in the Jack Russell Terrier.
It’s written by Denise McKenzie Greig of the
Another handy reference book to keep on the
CaldbeckJack kennels in Cumbria.
bookshelf, although mine is on the bedside
Denise is more than qualified in discussing table. Happy reading!
terriers and their working abilities, breeding and
If interested please contact Denise McKenzie
latterly showing the breed since its inclusion
Greig at www.caldbeckJack.com, or 01228
as a recognised breed with the Kennel Club,
523277
as both her late husband and his father before
him had interests in the Jack Russell and it’s
heritage.
Should you have any snippets, amusing
Full of historical facts and information regarding anecdotes and the like, for inclusion in my
terrier men of old, such as John Peel and column, please feel free to contact me.
Parson John Russell himself, it holds interesting
views on precisely where the Jack Russell kim.lathaen@outlook.com
Terrier comes from. There are discussions Kim Lathaen
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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / DECEMBER 2020
